Capital&Centric is marking the opening of its Weir Mill Build to Rent development in Stockport with a major community event, highlighting how the transformation of the historic mill is creating much more than a new collection of rental homes. The social impact developer has confirmed an all-local line-up for WEIR:LIVE, a free event taking place at the newly opened neighbourhood on 3 October. The celebration will bring live music, DJs, food and entertainment beneath Stockport’s landmark Grade II* listed railway viaduct. Weir Mill itself represents a significant heritage-led residential regeneration project. Capital&Centric has transformed the Grade II listed former cotton mill and surrounding site into a new riverside neighbourhood comprising 253 one, two and three-bedroom rental homes, including 88 apartments within the restored mill buildings. The development has been delivered by Capital&Centric in partnership with Stockport Council and Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation and forms part of the wider £1 billion regeneration of Stockport town centre. Alongside its BTR accommodation, Weir Mill provides around 20,000 sq ft of commercial space for independent businesses, with new public squares, landscaped courtyards and improved access to the River Mersey helping turn the formerly underused site into a mixed-use destination. The development combines the restoration of the historic mill complex with new-build elements, retaining much of the industrial character that has defined the site for generations. Weir Mill dates back to 1790 and predates the neighbouring railway viaduct, which was constructed over part of the mill complex during the 19th century. New amenities include Weaver’s Square, positioned beneath the viaduct and designed to accommodate markets, events, live music and pop-ups. The restored Wheelhouse has meanwhile been repurposed to provide residents with a gym, lounge and co-working facilities. A growing collection of independent operators is also helping establish the development as a destination beyond its residential community. Businesses include Social Osteria, Kontrol Pilates, Prologue, Rita Rays, The Jane Eyre and Bodega. Capital&Centric officially opened Weir Mill in August, with homes now available through the developer’s Ollo rental platform. WEIR:LIVE will provide an opportunity for the wider Stockport community to experience the completed regeneration, with Capital&Centric deliberately selecting musicians, DJs, artists and creatives from the borough. The approach reflects a wider shift within the BTR market towards developments that combine professionally managed rental homes with amenity, public realm, hospitality and community-focused spaces. For Stockport, Weir Mill also demonstrates how the reuse of challenging historic buildings can contribute to town-centre regeneration, combining new housing with heritage conservation and creating new commercial and public spaces around one of the borough’s best-known landmarks. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Grainger has reported continued strong demand across its Build to Rent (BTR) portfolio as the UK’s largest listed residential landlord advances a development pipeline that includes its newly approved 425-home Cambridge North Residential Quarter. The FTSE 250 property company’s latest trading update, covering the 11 months to the end of August 2026, showed occupancy remaining above 96%, alongside like-for-like BTR rental growth of 3%. Grainger now owns and manages more than 11,000 rental homes across the UK and remains focused on expanding its purpose-built rental portfolio. A significant development milestone during the period was planning approval for Cambridge North Residential Quarter, which will become Grainger’s first investment in Cambridge. The 425-home scheme is being brought forward on railway land adjacent to Cambridge North station through blocwork, the joint venture between Network Rail property company Platform4 and developer bloc. Grainger is lined up to forward fund the development and, once completed, will operate and manage the new rental homes. The project will provide a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments within a new residential neighbourhood designed to take advantage of its highly connected location. The wider proposals include linear parks, pocket gardens, tree-lined streets and active ground-floor uses, with walking, cycling and public transport forming an important part of the development strategy. Franklin Ellis Architects is involved in the design of the Cambridge North Residential Quarter, which forms part of the continuing transformation of land surrounding the station. The Cambridge investment reflects Grainger’s wider strategy of targeting well-connected UK cities where demand for professionally managed rental housing is supported by employment, transport infrastructure and constrained housing supply. Grainger is also progressing another partnership opportunity with Platform4 and blocwork in Nottingham, where a planning application has been submitted for a further 252 BTR homes. Alongside development activity, Grainger is targeting significant earnings growth from its committed BTR pipeline. Chief executive Helen Gordon said the company remains on track to grow earnings by 35% between FY25 and FY29, supported by new Build to Rent developments moving into operation. The company is simultaneously progressing an accelerated disposal programme covering approximately £850 million of non-core assets, while targeting a £300 million to £350 million reduction in net debt by the end of FY29. With high occupancy, continued rental growth and new developments advancing through planning, Grainger’s latest update highlights the growing maturity of the UK BTR sector. Cambridge North is particularly significant, combining institutional investment, residential development and transport-led regeneration to create a substantial new rental community in one of the UK’s strongest regional property markets. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Watkin Jones has completed two major Build to Rent (BTR) developments during its 2026 financial year, marking further progress for the residential developer as it continues to deliver large-scale schemes despite challenging market conditions. The completions represent another important milestone for Watkin Jones, which has established a significant presence across the UK’s purpose-built rental and student accommodation sectors. Among the developer’s major BTR projects is Loftlines, a significant residential development that forms part of the wider regeneration of Belfast’s Titanic Quarter. The project demonstrates the scale and ambition of the purpose-built rental schemes now being delivered in major UK cities, combining new homes with the amenity-led approach increasingly associated with modern BTR development. Watkin Jones has also progressed its Tai Afon BTR development in Cardiff, adding further purpose-built rental accommodation to its portfolio and strengthening the company’s presence within the residential market. The latest completions arrive against a demanding backdrop for the UK development sector. Higher construction costs, financing pressures and changing investment conditions have all influenced the pace at which new residential projects can be funded and brought forward. Despite these challenges, BTR continues to represent an important area of activity within the UK housing market, supported by demand for professionally managed rental accommodation and continued institutional interest in residential property. For the wider construction and built environment industry, the delivery of major BTR developments also creates opportunities across a substantial supply chain. Large schemes require expertise spanning main contracting and structural construction through to façades, M&E services, fit-out, landscaping and public realm, before moving into long-term property and facilities management following completion. Watkin Jones’ latest progress therefore provides another indication of the continued evolution of the UK BTR sector, particularly in regional cities where large residential developments are increasingly becoming an important component of wider regeneration strategies. With two major BTR schemes reaching completion during FY26, Watkin Jones continues to demonstrate its ability to take substantial residential developments through construction and into operation while navigating a more challenging development and investment environment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Plans for the £2 billion Vauxhall Square regeneration have secured approval, paving the way for one of London’s most ambitious new mixed-use developments and a substantial new pipeline of Build to Rent (BTR), co-living, student and conventional housing. The major scheme will transform a long-stalled 1.49-hectare site between Vauxhall and Nine Elms with a cluster of seven buildings, including a landmark 69-storey residential tower that will become a significant addition to the south London skyline. At the heart of the proposals is a diverse residential offer. Vauxhall Square is expected to provide approximately 1,097 new homes, including properties for sale and rent, alongside 1,164 co-living studios and accommodation for 699 students. The housing mix will also include affordable provision and homes for social rent. The scale of the project makes it particularly significant for London’s evolving BTR and wider living sectors. Rather than concentrating on a single residential tenure, the development brings conventional housing, professionally managed rental accommodation, co-living and purpose-built student accommodation together within one major regeneration project. Vauxhall Square is being brought forward by Cedarstone Capital Partners and Cheyne Capital alongside GFH Financial Group, with Bmor and Trigon acting as development managers. Pilbrow & Partners is leading the architectural design of the new masterplan, replacing the earlier Allies and Morrison proposals for the site. The wider professional team includes Gardiner & Theobald on costs, AKT II as structural engineer, Hoare Lea on building services and Exterior Architecture as landscape architect. DP9 is planning consultant, Velocity is advising on transport, while Publica and Space Syntax are involved in the public realm strategy. Beyond housing, Vauxhall Square is designed as a genuinely mixed-use neighbourhood. Plans incorporate a hotel, offices, retail and leisure space, a cinema and community facilities, with a new central garden forming an important focal point for the development. Ground-floor uses and new pedestrian connections are intended to create a more active public realm and improve links towards Vauxhall Station and neighbouring developments. The project is also significant because it unlocks a major site that has remained largely undeveloped despite previous planning permissions. The latest proposals respond to changing housing and investment conditions by increasing density while introducing a much broader range of residential tenures. For the construction sector, a £2 billion development of this scale represents a substantial future pipeline spanning high-rise construction, façades, structural engineering, M&E, residential fit-out, landscaping and public realm. Vauxhall Square could now become a defining part of the wider Vauxhall, Nine Elms and Battersea regeneration story, while demonstrating how BTR, co-living, student housing and affordable homes can form part of a single large-scale urban neighbourhood. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

One of east London’s largest regeneration projects has taken a major step forward after City Hall approved plans for nearly 3,000 homes on the former Beckton Gasworks site in Newham. The Beckton Riverside development is being brought forward by St William, part of Berkeley Group, and will transform around 30 acres of derelict former industrial land on the north bank of the River Thames. The gasworks closed in the 1960s and the complexity of the contaminated site means substantial remediation and infrastructure investment will be required before large-scale housebuilding can begin. Newham Council had previously resolved to approve the proposals, but the applications were called in by the Mayor of London in April. Following a public hearing, Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills Jules Pipe has now approved the scheme. At the heart of the masterplan are around 2,900 new homes, together with approximately 5,000 sq m of mixed-use floorspace and a five-acre riverside park. The first phase will include buildings rising to 15 storeys. Berkeley is expected to invest around £250 million in remediation, enabling works and infrastructure to prepare the former gasworks for redevelopment. The initial programme will involve a major clean-up of the heavily contaminated site alongside work to strengthen flood defences and upgrade local infrastructure. Architecture and masterplanning is being led by JTP, with HTA involved as landscape architect. The professional team also includes Quod as planning consultant, Vectos on transport and GIA as daylight consultant. A major component of the wider vision is improved connectivity. The masterplan has been developed around proposals for a new Beckton Riverside DLR station, forming part of Transport for London’s planned extension from Gallions Reach through Beckton Riverside and beneath the Thames to Thamesmead. The transport project remains subject to funding and further approvals. The regeneration will also open up a substantial stretch of the Thames waterfront, with JTP’s plans incorporating new streets, walking and cycling connections and extensive green infrastructure alongside the new riverside park. Affordable housing has been one of the more closely scrutinised elements of the project. City Hall documents put the initial provision at 8.1% by habitable room, with the potential to rise to as much as 20% if housing grant funding is secured. Dean Summers, managing director of St James & St William, described the approval as a significant step forward for the complex, long-term regeneration site. Construction could begin in 2028, with the first homes expected to complete from 2030. Before then, the scale of the £250 million enabling programme underlines the engineering challenge involved in transforming decades-old contaminated industrial land into an entirely new residential neighbourhood. For Berkeley and St William, Beckton Riverside represents a major long-term development opportunity. For east London, it could unlock a previously inaccessible section of the Thames and create a new mixed-use community at the heart of the wider Royal Docks and Beckton Riverside regeneration area. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Irish Residential Properties REIT (I-RES) is closing in on the acquisition of Two Three North, a major operational Build to Rent (BTR) development in Dublin, as the residential investor looks to expand its portfolio in the Irish capital. I-RES is understood to be in advanced discussions to acquire the 282-apartment development at Clongriffin in north Dublin from developer Twinlite and its joint venture partner Tristan Capital Partners. Two Three North was brought to market earlier this year through joint agents Hooke & MacDonald and Knight Frank, with a guide price of around €120 million. The development was completed in 2022 and its acquisition would increase the size of I-RES’s residential portfolio by approximately 8%. The scheme comprises 282 apartments arranged across four blocks on a 3.17-hectare site, combining private homes with communal and public spaces. Of the apartments, 236 form part of the private rented portfolio, while a further 46 are leased to Dublin City Council under a long-term agreement. Designed by MDO Architects for Twinlite, Two Three North has been created around the amenity-led model that has become increasingly important within the BTR market. Resident facilities include co-working areas, a gym, cinema room and communal social spaces, alongside basement and surface parking, secure bicycle storage, landscaping and green roof areas. Sustainability also formed an important part of the development and construction strategy. The project achieved Home Performance Index certification, while most apartments achieved a BER A2 energy rating. An all-electric energy strategy incorporates mechanical ventilation with heat recovery and exhaust air heat pumps, supported by a high-performing building envelope and triple glazing. Environmental Product Declarations were also considered during material procurement, with a whole-building life cycle assessment undertaken to examine embodied carbon. For I-RES, the potential purchase represents a sizeable addition to an existing portfolio of more than 3,600 rental homes, predominantly located across Dublin. At the end of June 2026, the company’s portfolio was valued at approximately €1.28 billion and recorded occupancy of 99.4%. The acquisition would come as I-RES steps up investment following a period of asset recycling and improving financial performance. The company has also committed to acquire 77 newly built apartments through a separate forward purchase agreement, with completion expected towards the end of 2026. Two Three North provides a particularly attractive opportunity because it is already completed and operational, allowing I-RES to add a substantial concentration of modern rental homes without taking on the construction and delivery risk associated with a new development. If completed, the transaction would further strengthen I-RES’s position in Dublin’s professionally managed rental sector while underlining continued institutional appetite for established, high-quality BTR assets. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

London’s Build to Rent (BTR) sector could be given greater flexibility in bringing new developments forward under proposed changes to affordable housing policy contained within the new draft London Plan. Published by the Mayor of London, the draft plan sets out the capital’s planning framework for the coming decades and proposes a revised approach to affordable housing thresholds, reflecting significant differences in development viability across London. For BTR developers and investors, the proposals are potentially significant. The draft retains a dedicated Build to Rent policy, while changes to the wider affordable housing threshold approach are intended to provide a more flexible route for residential schemes in locations where viability has become increasingly challenging. Rather than applying the same Fast Track affordable housing threshold universally, the proposed system would allow thresholds to vary between different parts of the capital according to development values and viability. The Mayor’s strategic ambition remains for 50% of new housing to be affordable, but the percentage required to qualify for the Fast Track planning route could differ by location. The intention is ultimately to move the threshold back towards 35% from 2028 in as many boroughs as possible, with different thresholds applying elsewhere where viability evidence supports a more flexible approach. Boroughs could subsequently move between bands as market conditions improve. For London’s BTR market, greater flexibility could help unlock developments that have struggled to progress amid higher construction costs, financing pressures and viability challenges. The changes could also have implications throughout the built environment supply chain. A stronger pipeline of viable BTR projects would support opportunities for architects, planning consultants, contractors and engineers, as well as specialists in façades, M&E, fit-out, landscaping and public realm. BTR has become an increasingly established component of London’s residential market, bringing institutional capital into the delivery and long-term management of purpose-built rental homes. The existing London Plan already provides a specific planning framework for BTR, including requirements around unified ownership and management and affordable rental provision. The new proposals should not yet be regarded as settled policy. The draft London Plan is currently undergoing public consultation until 15 October 2026 and will subsequently face an independent Examination in Public, with final adoption currently expected in early 2028. For developers, investors and construction teams considering future London BTR projects, however, the direction of travel is important. A more location-sensitive affordable housing framework could provide greater certainty and flexibility, potentially helping more residential schemes move from planning and viability assessments into construction. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Pontegadea, the private investment company of Spanish billionaire Amancio Ortega, has made its first move into the UK Build to Rent (BTR) market with the £150 million acquisition of a residential development on London’s Baker Street. The transaction sees Pontegadea acquire 219 Baker Street in the West End from investor and developer Ridgeback Group, adding 86 apartments to an already substantial UK property portfolio. The deal, equivalent to approximately €175 million, represents a reported yield of 4%. Ortega is the founder and main shareholder of Inditex, the global fashion group behind Zara and brands including Pull&Bear and Massimo Dutti. While his wealth is closely associated with the international retail sector, Pontegadea has built up a major global property portfolio, with UK real estate holdings now valued at more than £2.7 billion. The Baker Street acquisition is particularly notable from a built environment perspective because of the history of the property itself. The Grade II-listed Art Deco building was originally constructed in 1932 as the headquarters of Abbey National, which later became part of Santander. The building was converted to residential use in 2004 and subsequently upgraded by Ridgeback. Its acquisition provides Pontegadea with an immediate foothold in the professionally managed UK rental market without the development and construction risks associated with delivering a new BTR scheme from the ground up. The deal also extends the investor’s presence across different areas of the UK property market. Its existing London assets include The Post Building on New Oxford Street, while in 2025 Pontegadea acquired an 850,000 sq ft Amazon logistics warehouse near Liverpool for £81 million. The move into BTR comes at a significant time for institutional investment in UK rental housing. BTR transactions reached a record £2.2 billion during the second quarter of 2026, demonstrating continued investor appetite for established, income-producing residential assets despite wider pressures facing development and construction. For the wider property sector, the £150 million Baker Street transaction is another indication of how the UK rental market is attracting international capital traditionally associated with commercial real estate. Pontegadea’s arrival adds another major global investor to the sector and, with an established London residential asset providing its entry point, could signal further interest from the group as the UK BTR market continues to mature. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Construction is gathering pace at the £46 million Nursery Street Build to Rent (BTR) development in Sheffield, as structural works progress on a scheme set to bring new purpose-built rental homes to a prominent brownfield site in the city. The development is transforming the former Coroner’s Court site on Nursery Street, replacing previously developed land with a new residential scheme designed specifically for the rental market. Plans for the site include 101 BTR homes, comprising 31 studios, 35 one-bedroom apartments and 35 two-bedroom apartments. The development also incorporates a range of resident amenities, including a gym, co-working facilities, a recording studio, communal kitchen space and cycle parking. With structural construction now advancing, the project is moving into an increasingly visible phase, adding to the pipeline of new residential development reshaping Sheffield and supporting the continued growth of BTR beyond the UK’s largest cities. Sustainability has also been incorporated into the development strategy. Earlier project information outlined proposals for air source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels and low-energy lighting as part of a drive to deliver homes to high energy performance standards. The scheme has also attracted public investment, with South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority documentation previously approving £1.7 million of grant support towards the development. The authority highlighted the regeneration benefits of bringing a derelict brownfield site back into productive use while delivering new rental accommodation and improving the surrounding area. Nursery Street comes at a time when Build to Rent is playing an increasingly important role within the UK residential development market, particularly in regional cities where demand continues for professionally managed, amenity-led rental accommodation. For Sheffield, the development represents more than the delivery of new apartments. By regenerating an underused urban site and combining new homes with shared facilities and energy-efficient building technologies, the project contributes to the wider evolution of the city centre residential market. As the structure continues to rise, Nursery Street is set to become another significant addition to Sheffield’s expanding BTR landscape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Councillors and senior leaders across Yorkshire have gathered at a transformative Keepmoat housing scheme in Driffield. East Riding of Yorkshire Council officers and the cabinet member for housing and infrastructure, alongside representatives from Homes England attended the event to celebrate the transformative scheme The new development, which will deliver 313 new homes, represents a £77 million investment into the area from top 10 housebuilder Keepmoat as it expands its presence in the county. Of the new homes being built, a proportion will be available as affordable housing, through the local council, to create housing options that will meet the needs of people in the area. Land & Partnerships Director at Keepmoat Yorkshire East, Ben Hindley, added: “It is great to welcome members of the council, Homes England and the wider community down to see the fantastic progress taking shape at our Poppy Place site. “At Keepmoat, we are proud to be developing a community situated in Driffield, a location with strong transport links and a wide range of amenities. This development represents a significant investment in the local area, and it has been great to work closely alongside our partners to bring high-quality, energy-efficient homes to the area.” Ciaran Aldridge, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat Yorkshire East, said: “It’s fantastic to see the hard work of our site team recognised through developments like Poppy Place. It showcases Keepmoat’s continued commitment to creating thriving communities within the local area. “Seeing the development come together, and knowing these will soon be homes for local families has been great to see and we can’t wait to welcome the first residents in.”The homes at Poppy Place will also be delivered with modern energy-efficient housing standards as 100 per cent of the homes will be gas-free. Councillor Michael Lee, East Riding of Yorkshire Council Cabinet Member for Housing and Infrastructure said: “We’re proud to support communities across the East Riding, including in Driffield, through the expansion of affordable housing provision.” Keepmoat is a leading partnership homebuilder with a track-record of delivering quality new homes across the UK at prices people can afford. To date, almost 70 percent of its current developments are on brownfield sites. To find out more on Poppy Place, please visit: www.keepmoat.com/poppy-place-driffield Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals